Karnany to hold open day

KARNANY Resource Centre is inviting people to join them to share a meal, entertainment, giveaways and a raffle to raise awareness of homelessness on Wednesday, August 9.

The event runs from 11am to 2pm at 25 Spring Park Rd, Midland and is being organised by Indigo Junction formerly known as Swan Emergency Accommodation.

The not-for-profit organisation provides homelessness services to youth, families and the community in the north-eastern suburbs of Perth.

Contact 9274 7929 or visit indigojunction.org.au for more information.

Australian Bureau of Statistics show 9,600 people experienced homelessness every night in Western Australia in 2012 and another 7000 in insecure housing were one step away from homelessness.

During Homelessness Week Shelter WA will use the theme ‘Let’s end homelessness, not just manage it’ for its campaign.

One key messages of the campaign is how anyone can easily homeless as it only takes a couple of unexpected life events.

Homelessness is often hidden with only 6 per cent of those experiencing homelessness are sleeping rough.

Many more are living in severely overcrowded dwellings or moving from one temporary solution to another, for example on a friend’s floor or couch.

There is no one reason people access homelessness services.

They do so for many reasons, including 43 per cent due to domestic and family violence, 42 per cent due to financial reasons, including housing affordability stress, 35 per cent due to accommodation needs, 19 per cent due to health reasons, including mental health and 15 per cent due to a lack of family or community support.

About Anita

Anita Mcinnes received a highly commended in the 2009 WA Media Awards suburban section for her reporting. Two of her sons were born at Swan District Hospital and for many years she was a partner in a small business, which operated in the Gingin-Muchea-Bullsbrook area. As a mature age student Anita studied journalism at Curtin University before working in Busselton, Dunsborough and Rockingham with West Regionals. She says the best part of her job is meeting eastern suburb residents and visiting the many attractions in the area.